Filed for intro on 03/02/98

HOUSE RESOLUTION 165 By Turner (Ham)

A RESOLUTION to honor St. Louis Cardinal Rick Honeycutt on the occasion of his retirement.

WHEREAS, the Tennessee General Assembly is proud to specially honor outstanding natives of our state who are graduates of the University of Tennessee, excel athletically and serve as excellent role models for our youth; and

WHEREAS, it was with deep regret that we learned that one such distinguished athlete,

St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Rick Honeycutt, after a storied major league career, has decided to retire; and

WHEREAS, a native of Chattanooga, Rick showed early signs of future greatness as a student-athlete at Lakeview High School, in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he graduated in

1972; and

WHEREAS, this talented ballplayer fulfilled a boyhood dream when he signed with the

Tennessee Vols; in 1976, Rick received All-American recognition; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1976 with a Bachelor of

Arts degree in science and health education; and

WHEREAS, Rick was selected by the organization in the 17th round of the 1976 free agent draft, and was traded to the in 1977. He won 11 games in

1979 and 10 in 1980; and

*40000000* *010318* 40000000 *01031826* WHEREAS, he played the 1981 and 1982 seasons and part of the 1983 season for the

Texas Rangers; in 1983 he compiled a 14-8 record and led the American League, with a stingy

2.42 Earned Average; and

WHEREAS, after spending part of the 1983 season through part of the 1987 season with the , Rick was traded to the ; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, he made 64 relief appearances, had 12 saves and a superb 2.35

Earned Run Average for the champion Athletics; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, he has played for the , Oakland, the New

York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, he compiled a fine 5-1 record with two saves and a 2.42 Earned

Run Average, in 49 games, with Oakland; and

WHEREAS, pitching for the Cardinals in 1996, Rick compiled a 2-1 record, had a 2.85

Earned Run Average and won game two of the Division Playoff Series with the San Diego

Padres; and

WHEREAS, his stellar twenty-year major league career totals include appearing in 797 games, starting 268 games, 38 saves, and 2,159 innings pitched; and

WHEREAS, Rick Honeycutt holds the major league career record for most games pitched in championship series, 20, and most games appearing as a relief pitcher, 20, in championship series; and

WHEREAS, he appeared in seven league championship series and three World Series; and

WHEREAS, Rick was a two-time American League All-Star (1980 and 1983); and

WHEREAS, a successful businessman, he is the co-owner and Executive Vice-

President of B & H Protrans and the co-owner and Vice-President of ETP, Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, in the finest tradition of the “Volunteer State”, Rick has generously volunteered his time and expertise to numerous charities and civic groups; and

- 2 - *01031826* WHEREAS, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Ronald McDonald House and founded an exemplary youth group; and

WHEREAS, Rick is married to his supportive wife, Debbie, and has two children, Holli and Rick, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Rick Honeycutt is a tremendous credit to the University of Tennessee,

Hamilton County, and the state of Tennessee; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE- HUNDREDTH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, That we honor and commend Rick

Honeycutt and wish him well on his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy.

- 3 - *01031826*